Concrete meets corten

When exposed concrete enters into a liaison with bare Corten steel, this does not go unnoticed. Or is it? A little follow-up.

Last Saturday, the BDA (Federation of German Architects) invited for the 16th time in succession to the Architect Urban Bus in Landshut. Architect Ourbus could be called the little brother of the “Day of Architecture”. This takes place annually in the region and shows examples of high-quality and exciting architectural and construction projects for interested visitors. Clients and architects open gates that are otherwise closed to the public.

In addition to four other building projects (e. g. the Rauchensteiner-Haus), more than 100 guests interested in architecture were also welcomed at the Nahensteig. All of ALN’s partners, namely Peter Leinhäupl, Barbara Neuber and Markus Neuber, guided through the building and reported on the construction of the building, from planning to completion. It was looked at and touched, asked and discussed. A bit of food and drinks. All in all a wonderful afternoon. Without ifs and buts.

And indeed, many visitors were amazed by the impressive design of the Nahensteig. Admittedly, in order to see the building, you must first walk into a small cobblestone paved street, then turn right into an even smaller lane, look left and then up. To get back to the underground car park, turn right again and climb up the exposed concrete stairs. Arrived. Whoever comes here for the first time is often confronted with a wow effect. Because the building does not impose itself, is almost invisible due to its location. Invisible. Rather, it is secludedly under the protection of the Hofberg, rather than pushing forward in an attention-grabbing manner. And thus, forms the proverbial “Landeshut (hat and shield of the land)”. What often led to the question: how on earth can you manage to build such a house here? Because the general credo on Saturday afternoon was: you didn’t notice much of the construction process itself, despite the prominent location in the old town. The logistical as well as the craftsmanship behind it were enormous. At this point we would like to express our sincere thanks to all those involved in the project. Planning engineers, specialist planners, site managers, contractors; the authorities and the Landshut design advisory board, who made the construction possible in the first place. And we all had the impression that the building was well received.

What does that mean for us architects? It is possible to create good and sustainable architecture. Also in historically long grown structures. In places that give the impression that new ideas do not fit in here, could destroy the cityscape. That the Genius Loci does not allow other concepts.

Discussion means movement. And if you move, others move too. And grown structures also like fresh wind blowing through their grey thick hair.